ANDERSON, S.C. – The Anderson baseball team opened its final four-game homestand of the season with a 10-6 loss to Belmont Abbey in nonconference action, Tuesday night at Memorial Stadium.
Anderson slipped to 21-21 on the season with its second consecutive setback after posting a six-game win streak. Belmont Abbey (26-15) was coming off a six-day layoff and snapped a brief two-game skid, while winning five of its last seven decisions.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
Nick Vella was 2-for-3 at the plate, with a pair of doubles and drove in three runs while crossing the late once. Brayden Owens added a pair of singles, with Jackson Van Ness going 1-for-2 on the night by lacing a third-inning double and reaching on a walk. Tyler Berry came in as a pinch-hitter in the bottom of the ninth and belted his first home run of the season – a two-run shot down the right-field line.
Nathan Ledford (1-3) suffered the loss after allowing three runs on four hits in an inning of work on the mound. He struck out one batter and didn't issue a walk.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Crusaders scored in each of the first three innings and held a 5-0 advantage, before the Trojans got on the scoreboard with a solo run in the bottom of the third, when Vella's sacrifice fly plated Van Ness, who led off the inning with his eighth double of the season.
Belmont Abbey countered with a run in the top of the fifth, while the Trojans climbed within 6-4 by posting three runs in the bottom of the fifth. Jaxon Young led off with a single and moved into scoring position when Van Ness drew a one-out walk. Vella brought both runners home by pulling a two-out double into right field. JC LeGrand followed with a single to bring Vella across the plate.
The Crusaders then posted a four-run sixth inning to push out to a six-run lead, before Berry clubbed his one-out homer in the bottom of the ninth.
ANDERSON STAT OF THE NIGHT
The Trojans notched four extra-base hits on the night.
NOTABLES
• The Trojans and Crusaders have met on 45 occasions, with Belmont Abbey leading the all-time series, 32-13. The first-ever meeting between the two programs occurred during the 1999 campaign.
• Tuesday night's game was just the fifth meeting since the 2013 season.
• Jaxon Young is riding a four-game hitting streak.
• Nick Vella has reached base safely in 10 consecutive games.
UP NEXT
The Trojans are scheduled to wrap up their home slate with a South Atlantic Conference series against Carson-Newman this weekend. First-pitch against the Eagles on Friday is slated for 6 p.m.
